Lola's Lines
Because my ancestors reminded me that I could.
From a once shy, bullied little girl to a boldly, unapologetic guerrera, words are my machete towards building a Borinquen Libre, Soberana & Socialista.
Wepa + Welcome!
Meet Spoken Word Poet Lola, La Revolution
In January 2019, I almost lost my life hiking Montaña Vinicunca in the Peruvian Andes. Though I didn't know it then, the poet in me was gestating. This (re)birth would turn me into the Daughter de Borinquen, a ser de luz, a guerrera my ancestors waited to return home.Another transformational trip - this time to Mama África in January 2021 would forever change me. In wondrous Tanzania, I heard the ancestors calling. It took trekking to 35 countries for me and the sacred soil of a Sub Saharan Mother for me to know here is where I always belonged.
The Stage
Hija of Borinquen
Each time at the mic means an opportunity for change. Whether I'm dropping knowledge for someone who's hearing me for the first time or nerves make me freeze on stage (yes, it happens!), I'm here for all the growth.From colonialism to patriarchy, racism to pro-Puerto Rican independence, I pour every ounce of me into my work.
Enter the social justice journalist (re)writing our stories
For centuries, we've allowed others to tell our stories: the colonizers, the oppressors, the upholders of a patriarchal system intended to silence our voices. Not anymore.In taking over the narratives, we are not only flipping the script, we are reminding the world that we have always been here. We are (re)writing our HERstories - in all of the pain and glory.
Sharing Our Stories
¡Somos Sabor!
When I pitched my first op-ed to The Latino Rebels back in May 2022, I was excited and nervous. It took a few tries before they picked up my first story - on keeping Loíza's folk traditions alive via music and visual art.This is how my journey to becoming a social justice journalist started. I'm forever grateful to Héctor Luis Alamo for his encouragement, to TLR founder, Julio Ricardo Varela for supporting my work.
Here I am pictured with one of Loíza's treasures, la gran Raquel Ayala Carrasquillo, bomba dancer legend.
Introducing the polyglot language facilitator
There's a Turkish saying, "Bir dil, bir insan. Iki dil, iki insan." It roughly translates into one language, one person, two languages, two people. And it's a sentiment I embrace. Learning to speak a new language opens up a world of possibilities - whether for travel, business, romance or self-growth.Currently, I'm still on improving #5, italiano. I'm in love with how it flows off the tongue, landing smoothly on the ears. Though I also speak conversational türkçe (Turkish), I only tutor español, French and English.
Benefit your brain
Otra Lingua
Since 2012, I've been tutoring (intermittently). Choose whether you'd like a package or a few lessons at a time. I work with children and adults for conversational usage. Focusing on the spoken, together we connect with the words already in our brains.We start where you are. Sessions are interactive, with you in mind. Go as slow as you like - no pressure. And remember, you get out of it what you put in! Hasta pronto!
Grant Proposal Writing
I've been volunteering with non-profits for over 25 years. The power of these organizations' impact on communities, children and more globally, on humanity is immeasurable. And I'm here to continue doing my part.Since 2022, I've been working with local non-profits to seek funding opportunities for their community projects. Whether your organization is just getting started or is well-established, there are funds out there. Let's find them together.
Cultural Guardian
We Resist!
Moving to Borinquen - my ancestral motherland going back seven generations - continues to be my biggest maestra. Living here since November 2021, one of my priorities has been to use poetry as a vehicle to create cultural events focusing on our feminine leaders. Esas fierce mujeres have always been on the frontlines of our luchas.From Adolfina Villanueva Osorio to Dominga de la Cruz Becerril to Lolita Lebrón to Celestina Cordero Molina, and many others, we pay tribute as we continue in their legacies.
Jajom
Jajom (pronounced HA HOM) is our Indigenous Taino word for gratitude. For being here and for seeing me, Jajom.